Irvine, CA, February 23, 2005 - Atlus U.S.A., Inc., a leading publisher of interactive entertainment, announced today its plans to publish Samurai Western , an action-packed adventure game scheduled to ship in June 2005 for the PlayStationÂ®2 computer entertainment system. Developed by Spike, the creators of the original Tenchu and The Way of the Samurai series, Samurai Western is an enhanced version of the J apanese game that was released earlier in the year. Featuring improved graphics and a multitude of gameplay additions such as a First Person Mode, an ?Insane? difficulty level, and ?Bushido Sense?, Samurai Western will tar and feather all but the most experienced gamers!

?We're thrilled to be adding Samurai Western to the Atlus' line-up, said Gail Salamanca , Marketing Manager, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. ?There's nothing quite like deflecting a rain of gun fire while running up on a group of gunmen, only to eviscerate them in one fell swoop. Whoever said ?never bring a knife to a gunfight' obviously hadn't played Samurai Western.?

About Samurai Western
It's the American West during the 1800's. The days of pioneers and the Gold Rush are ending, and a transcontinental railway is in place. One day, a lone stranger arrives in a tiny, windswept desert town?

His long hair is drawn back in a topknot and he wears strange foreign clothes. A mysterious-looking blade that is neither a knife nor a saber hangs from his belt. This mysterious stranger is certainly no gunman, and he ain't no indian?

His name is Gojiro Kiryu, and he's bringing justice back to the Old West.

Samurai Western Key Features:

• Slash your way through 16 different missions!

• ?Bushido Sense? allows you to dodge and deflect bullets with superhuman skill!

• Customize your hero by choosing between 10 different stances each with their own special attacks and powers!

• Be a Samurai or a Gunman! Unique 2 player mode allows you to play as both!

• Unleash the power of the samurai in Master Mode and chain hundred-hit combos!

Samurai Western has not yet been rated by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $39.99. For additional information on the game, visit www.atlus.com .

About Atlus U.S.A., Inc.
Located in Irvine , CA , Atlus U.S.A. , Inc. is a publisher of challenging and engaging video games for a variety of platforms including Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStationÂ®2. Atlus is best known for releasing unique RPGs and Strategy RPGs such as Ogre Battle, Tactics Ogre, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Wizardry, Persona, and Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. For more information visit: www.atlus.com